Pre-production on Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 2 had begun

Big Huge Games could start again with a spiritual successor to Reckoning.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 2 had been in pre-production at 38 Studios' Big Huge Games prior to the closure of the studio, sources close to the company have told Joystiq.

The sequel was to feature higher quality graphics, no loading screens between zones, improved combat animations, fewer branching quests and a greater effect on the world by players. However, it seems unlikely the game as it was will ever see the light of day.

"We had a good base to work from, and it was going to be all about improving everything," said a source. "We listened carefully to fans and critics and were going to implement everything we possibly could."

With the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning IP still in the hands of 38 Studios, whom are said to be asking a high price for the fantasy franchise, BHG may start again and create a spiritual sequel using the same ideas and themes that made Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning a 1.2 million unit success.

BHG did the same thing when purchased by 38 Studios from THQ, using its Ascendant RPG as the basis for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.